Chris Reed's Online Journal

Food Service Managers

Today, I am going to take a look at the role Food Service Managers have in the everyday life of a restaurant. Here are some quick facts from the U.S. Dept. Of Labor.

"Those who have college degrees in restaurant and institutional food service management will ultimately have the best job opportunities."

"Besides coordinating activities among various departments, such as kitchen, dining room, and banquet operations, food service managers ensure that customers are satisfied with their dining experience. In addition, they oversee the inventory and ordering of food, equipment, and supplies and arrange for the routine maintenance and upkeep of the restaurant, its equipment, and facilities. Managers generally are responsible for all of the administrative and human-resource functions of running the business, including recruiting new employees and monitoring employee performance and training."

Long hours may also be part of the job as well.

"Food service managers are among the first to arrive in the morning and the last to leave at night. Long hours—12 to 15 per day, 50 or more per week, and sometimes 7 days a week—are common. Managers of institutional food service facilities, such as school, factory, or office cafeterias, work more regular hours because the operating hours of these establishments usually conform to the operating hours of the business or facility they serve. However, hours for many managers are unpredictable."

"Food service managers held about 371,000 jobs in 2004. Most managers were salaried, but more than 40 per cent were self-employed in independent restaurants or other small food service establishments. About 70 percent of all salaried jobs for food service managers were in full-service restaurants or limited-service eating places, such as fast-food restaurants and cafeterias."

Next time you dine in at a restaurant, try and look past the food you've eaten and think about the logistics that make up a restaurant and how vital of a role Food Service Managers play in creating a successful business.